Articles Tagged With: compliance
-
EMTALA Still Poses Challenges After All These Years
EMTALA has encouraged the safe care of emergent patients since 1986, yet it still poses significant compliance challenges and hospitals are cited for violations. Understanding the potential pitfalls and best practices can help healthcare organizations avoid serious consequences.
-
Ensuring Compliance in Case Management Is Critical
Many compliance issues in the CMS Conditions of Participation for utilization review and discharge planning need attention. Ensuring compliance is critical for improving patient care, preventing financial penalties or sanctions, and avoiding trouble with governmental authorities by identifying and correcting compliance issues early.
-
State Laws on PHI Require Careful Consideration
Complying with HIPAA requirements on patient privacy may be difficult sometimes, but it is not enough. State laws also apply — and they may come with different requirements.
-
OCR’s Report to Congress Shows Increase in Complaints
The Office for Civil Rights’ annual report to Congress showed “significant increases” in HIPAA complaints — 34,077 new complaints in 2021, a 25% increase from 2020. Complaints increased 39% from 2017 to 2021.
-
Breaches Sometimes Kept Secret, but Decision Is Highly Dangerous
Cybersecurity professionals often are told to keep breaches confidential, according to a recent survey that suggests healthcare organizations may be risking serious consequences for not reporting the improper loss of protected health information controlled by HIPAA.
-
Sentinel Events Increased in 2022, Fall Reports Up Sharply
The Joint Commission’s latest report on sentinel events shows a 19% increase from 2021 to 2022. Falls, which were the most common sentinel event, increased almost 27%.
-
Appeals Court Dismisses Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Failure to Timely File Claim
This case is a fine example of the Government Claims Act and its application to public entities, including public health systems.
-
The Role of Critical Access Hospitals
In rural areas, critical access hospitals provide care to patients who otherwise would have to travel much further for adequate care. Serving in a critical access hospital can be a much different experience than a larger hospital system, or even a hospital in an urban or suburban environment. Due to lack of training and support, even the case management process might not be as seamless or efficient as it is in other settings.
-
Proper Disposal of PHI Required, Often Overlooked
The Office for Civil Rights announced a settlement with a Massachusetts dermatology clinic regarding the improper disposal of PHI, which serves as a reminder HIPAA compliance is not only about protecting data from hackers. Covered entities also are responsible for disposing of PHI appropriately.
-
Provide Frequent HIPAA Training with Real-World Scenarios
Training employees in HIPAA compliance should be frequent and include realistic situations, including scenarios in which they may unknowingly facilitate a breach.